In 2024, Vince McMahon’s departure from WWE’s leadership marked a dramatic turn in the company’s storied legacy. The exit followed a serious legal controversy when former employee Janel Grant accused him of abuse and sexual assault—allegations McMahon publicly denied, calling her claims false. While the lawsuit pushed McMahon into maintaining a low profile to manage the fallout, rumors about his desire to return to the wrestling empire he built have persisted, particularly with new developments suggesting he may attempt a corporate comeback.
Adding fuel to this speculation, former WWE head writer Vince Russo shared his take in a recent interview with Sportskeeda. Russo dismissed claims that McMahon would be financially incapable of buying back WWE from TKO Group Holdings. According to him, such notions overlook McMahon’s access to significant foreign capital, particularly through long-standing ties with influential figures in Saudi Arabia. Russo criticized journalists for assuming McMahon would rely solely on his own funds, emphasizing that with powerful international investors behind him, McMahon could easily garner the financial strength needed for a potential takeover.
While McMahon retains a stake in TKO Group Holdings, which now owns WWE, his influence has significantly diminished. His current shareholding is comparable to other major institutional investors, like the Vanguard Group, making his voice less decisive in company affairs. The actual control lies in the hands of dominant stakeholders such as Endeavor, Silver Lake Equity Partners, and businessman Egon Durban, who together control more than 60% of TKO, thereby shaping its direction and future.
Despite these power shifts, McMahon has made moves that suggest he’s far from finished with the entertainment world. His latest venture, a company called 14TH & I, has raised eyebrows. Reports indicate that he’s registered multiple limited liability companies under this umbrella, signaling a possible multi-pronged return to sports and entertainment. Whether this endeavor is connected to wrestling or an entirely new business domain remains unclear, but the move indicates McMahon’s intent to re-establish himself in the industry.
Interestingly, WWE has flourished in McMahon’s absence. Under new leadership, the company has experienced a resurgence, breaking records in live attendance, merchandise sales, and viewership ratings. The brand’s global appeal appears stronger than ever, helping boost TKO’s overall market valuation. This recent success might complicate McMahon’s return, as stakeholders may resist tampering with a system that is demonstrably thriving without him.
For now, the idea of McMahon regaining control of WWE remains in the realm of speculation. While he has the ambition, history, and potential access to capital, the structural realities of TKO ownership and WWE’s current momentum pose significant barriers. Whether his new venture is a step toward reclaiming the wrestling throne or the beginning of a new chapter altogether, only time will tell.